I really love this story very much ^_^ I'm glad you guys do too, though I am surprised that your guesses are on point. BUT, there is one part of this story that none of you have gotten yet, most of you relate it to Izaya's feelings about child trafficking, and you're kind of right ;) Just keep guessing! You'll get more hints and brotherly fluff in this chapter~

Anyways, Enjoy~!

– – – – – –

It took Mikado longer than he expected to get to Celty's house.

Mainly because along the way, he kept getting cold feet. He knew Celty wasn't exactly a fan of Izaya's. So, if he told her about the sudden revelation that he and Izaya were brothers.. Would she still like him as a friend? Mikado had to remember what kind of person Celty was. He hoped that, just because Izaya was his brother, she would still see him for who he really was. Maybe, she could even help him talk to Izaya?

So he merely walked around Ikebukuro for a while, not exactly sure what to do. When he finally gained the courage, the sun was starting to set. He decided, yes, he would tell Celty. Surely she would know what to do.

He hugged the folder closer to his chest. He couldn't help it, he had been holding onto it all day, he didn't want to lose it. It was the only proof he had right now of their relation to each other. He needed to keep it on him at all times.

It seemed someone behind the door decided he was taking so long, as it suddenly yanked open. Mikado shrieked in a very manly way, only to realize it was just Celty and Shinra at the door, not whomever his anxiety filled mind had created.

"You know, Mikado-kun, you could have just knocked, since whatever you want to talk about seems serious," Shinra said cheerfully, while Celty nodded in agreement. Mikado blushed, squeezing the folder between his shaking fingers.

"U-Um.. Okay.." He stuttered out

Celty moved to allow him to enter, before directing him to the couch, he made sure to apologize for the intrusion before sitting. For several moments, she stood in front of him in a thinking pose. Is she waiting for me to explain? Mikado asked himself. He took a breath, about to speak, when Celty snapped her fingers and ran to the kitchen.

Shinra walked back inside and sat down across from Mikado, as Celty ran back in with two cups of what looked like green tea. Mikado wanted to heave a sigh of relief, he felt rather parched after everything that happened today. He took a grateful sip, only to gag in surprise. Who puts salt in their green tea?!

Not wanting to be impolite, he swallowed down the mouthful he already too, seeing Celty watching him with what he could only guess was a scrutinizing gaze. She suddenly shoved her PDA in his face, it's message read: [Do you like it?]

Mikado winced slightly, and faked a smile the best he could. "I um.. It's delicious?" He awkwardly stated,"Maybe.. I dunno.. There's um- A little too much salt..?"

[I thought salt added flavor to Green Tea?] Celty asked him, and Mikado had to wonder where the hell she got an idea like that.

Slowly, the 16 year old shook his head. "N-no.. You aren't supposed to add s-salt at all-" Before he could finish his sentence, she had slapped the cup out of his hand, sending it flying and hitting the wall, the green liquid splashing against the wall.

Shinra had pulled his cup to his chest in a protective way, as Celty turned around and brought her hand towards Shinra, palm up, and moving her fingers forward, telling him to give her the cup. Childishly, Shinra shook his head and brought his legs up a little more. "No! I'm drinking what my love made for me!" He declared.

Celty tried to grab the cup from him, as Shinra managed to dodge several times, until the dullahan grabbed his shirt and pulled him forward. "No!" Shinra yelled, before bringing the small cup to his mouth and chugging it all in only a few seconds. He then looked at her with satisfaction, smiling with his green tea filled cheeks.

The, Celty suddenly slammed her fists into his stomach, causing him to cough in pain and spit out all of the green tea. Celty then patted her hands together in satisfaction, while Shinra pouted sadly.

When they finally remembered they had a guest, they turned to see the poor teen staring at them, unsure of what to do or say.

If Celty had a head, she probably would be blushing, as she quickly sat down, smoke puffing out of her helmet as she took it off. She then showed Mikado her PDA, asking [So what is it you wanted to talk to us about?]

Mikado suddenly felt extremely bashful again. He started to wring his hands together and looked down, shuffling his feet. "Well.. I.. Um.. It's about.. Izaya," He managed to say, watching the two in front of him stop moving for several seconds.

[What did he do to you?!] Celty demanded angrily, her fist clenched. [I swear, if he hurt you or anyone else..!]

Mikado's eyes widened and he quickly brought up his shaky hands. "No! No! No! He didn't d-do anything! H-he actually saved me!" He exclaimed.

Shinra tilted his head, confused. "Saved you? What do you mean by that?" He asked, not knowing Izaya to ever help anyone.

"Y-yeah, he did! There was t-this guy, and he shot at both of us, Izaya saved me, but he got shot, that's why he's been gone these past few weeks. He was recovering in the hospital," Mikado explained quickly, feeling hopeful.

Celty didn't seem very satisfied. [Is that what you came here to tell us? Did Izaya put you up to this?] She demanded angrily. Mikado felt slightly upset that this was all she thought he would be saying this for, but they were talking about Izaya, and just because Mikado knew him in a different way now didn't mean anyone else did.

"No, No that's not all," Mikado said slowly, looking down at the file on his lap,"While we were there, right before he got discharged, we learned something a-about the both of us.."

"Me and Izaya.. We're brothers"

Once again, both people froze, and Shinra dropped the empty cup he had still had in his hand. The room was so silent, they all could hear the cup as it bounced and rolled until it finally stopped. "A-are you joking?" Shinra asked, his eyes flashing to the manilla folder on Mikado's lap.

Knowing that even if Shinra wasn't technically a legal doctor, he would still understand the things on the paper, he handed the folder over to Shinra, whose eyes flashed over the paper faster than Masomi in a pun war.

"Y-you're not joking.." Shinra admitted softly, flipping to the other pages. Celty looked over the page as well, allowing Shinra to explain it to her, until the underground doctor handed Mikado his folder back. Mikado was thankful, because as of now, this is the only thing he had to prove he was telling the truth.

Celty asked, [Did you know you had an older brother? You've always told everyone you're an only child]

"I thought I was, this was as much of a shock to me as everyone else. I don't think Izaya knew either.. According to Masomi he looked extremely shocked, and ran out of the hospital," He explained,"And then I put the pieces together. My mom and dad would always get all sad and upset on May 4th, they wouldn't even talk to me sometimes. I used to think it was something I did, but when I saw Izaya the day all this started, I learned that May 4th was his birthday. Plus, we do look alike-"

[Wait, your parents got all sad? And they never told you that you had a brother? Do you think Izaya ran away.. Or maybe he was kidnapped as a kid?] Celty asked, hugging herself with her other arm.

"Maybe it was the second option.. Because if you're parents are as nice as you told us, and do get sad about the whole thing, I see no reason why Izaya would run away.. And if Izaya was confused, I doubt he remembers them.. But why didn't your parents tell you?" Shinra asked, pushing up his glasses.

Celty continued, [Have you even told them that you found your brother?] Mikado blushed sheepishly and shook his head.

"No," He began,"I haven't, I didn't.. What was I supposed to say? I don't even know if Izaya will talk to them. I don't want to tell them anything until I know Izaya will talk to them.. But why did he run? I just want to talk to him. I want to know my brother.."

[Is that why you came to me today?] Celty questioned [So you could get help from us to talk to him?]

Mikado merely gave a hopeful smile, and Celty remained still for a moment, before saying [Of course I'll help you, Mikado. Who knows? Maybe you can help Izaya change his bad attitude!]

Shinra smiled and said,"I'll help too, you deserve to know your brother, even if he isn't the best person" Mikado's body filled with relief, and made a happy noise.

"Thank you!" He said kindly,"Thank you both so much!"

– – – – – –

Izaya sat in the Awakusu-kai hideout next to Shiki, trying to act as normal as he could with a bandaged gash on his left cheek and a cut above his right eye. He was being stared at by some of the lower guards, whom were wondering what thing could manage to injure the great and sneaky Orihara Izaya.

But isn't it Ryuugamine Izaya now? He thought to himself in amusement. I like the sound of that better.

Shiki cleared his throat, regaining Izaya's attention. Once the informant broker was looking back at him, Shiki continued. "So, the man you need to apprehended before your accident, it turns out that he didn't return with all the money. Apparently, he digitally sent some of it to another facility, the one he was running to. But he won't tell us where that is, or else he's a 'dead man'" Shiki chuckled at his own joke, flicking the cigarette ashes away onto the tray.

"He's a dead man already," Izaya said,"Whether or not he complied" Shiki nodded at him in agreement, leaning back against the couch.

Then, the Yakuza leader continued,"I want you to use his pins and codes that he did give us and find this facility, then tell me the name. I don't want you to try and shut it down. You're much to valuable to lose, Izaya. My men will take care of the rest, understood?"

Izaya nodded simply, opening the laptop that had been provided for him and beginning to look for what he had been asked to find.

Ow..

While typing, his headache had beginning to throb and get worse. It wasn't because of the black eye, Izaya knew it. He hadn't gotten a headache in years. He stopped his typing for a moment, and brought a hand to his head, muttering,"My head hurts.."

"Don't let them know that," Shiki replied shortly, dropping his cigarette butt onto the tray,"You know what will happen"

Izaya sighed in resignation and nodded,"I know.." He finished typing and pressed a few more buttons on the laptop. "It wouldn't be the first time they did it to me, would it?" He said sadly.

Shiki stared at him, feeling pity for the raven. He'd known Izaya ever since he arrived there. He watched the poor kid grow into the young man in front of him. Shiki had to wonder what Izaya would have turned out like if he hadn't been taken away from wherever. With a wave of Shiki's hand, he dismissed the guards in the room.

"Something happened," Shiki guessed once the guards were gone, noticing Izaya wasn't as focused as usual. "Something happened and you're scared about what will happen if they find out"

Izaya stopped typing for a second, and then continued as he quickly said,"Yes, but I'm not telling you about it"

Shiki sighed,"You know I was in the same place you were Izaya, we both came from Nōjō, and just because they don't control me as much as they used to, doesn't mean I don't know what you went through"

Izaya slammed his finger down hard on one of the keys, his eyes shadowing with a dark emotion. He grabbed both sides of the laptop and swung it around quickly. "Done," He muttered, grabbing his jacket hood and pulling it over his face quickly. He turned to walk away, and Shiki watched him move with calculated eyes.

"Be careful, Izaya.. You know what they'll do if they find out Izaya, you know where they'll take you," He warned the younger.

Izaya stopped walking for a moment, suddenly finding his shoes very interesting. "I know.. I'll be careful," He whispered,"Believe me, Shiki, I'm never going back to the White Room again.."

Shiki followed Izaya until the door to his office closed, and sighed deeply. He placed a hand on his cheek while reading what was on the laptop. There was no way Shiki could help Izaya, when he couldn't help himself either. They would just have to suffer through it. After all..

It was the life the Nōjō had chosen for them.

– – – – – –

Walking home, Izaya kicked pebbles out of his path, before looking back up at the sky. Through the fur of his jacket, Izaya could see the gloomy clouds above him, which did nothing to help his mood. He continued to stare up at the sky, as the cement below him darkened from the rain that fell onto it.

"If I believed that God existed, I would have many questions for you right now.." He whispered to the sky, his voice drowned out by the rain. When the gloomy upper atmosphere gave him no reply, he kicked at the wet cement, watching the droplets of water fly in front of him and continued.

"If I believed a God existed, I would have to ask you why you are so cruel.." Izaya began,"Why? Why would you take me away from a family and let Nōjō destroy me, then give me back my family, now that I can't even remember them?"

Izaya felt a laugh crawl up his throat, and let a few giggles come out of his throat. "If I believed in God, I guess I would be praying and giving thanks right now, thanking you for leaving me in a situation such as this, where I hold Mikado's LIFE by a s-single THREAD!"

His laughing suddenly became hitched, and Izaya violently threw his head back down, , tears streaking from his eyes as he yelled,"Because, if God existed, he'd KNOW that means that if they find out, if they even get the slightest hint that I'm going against their p-programming, they'll know I f-figured out something, and I'LL L-LOSE HIM!"

It took several moments for Izaya to calm his breathing. For a few minutes, there was only the sound of the pattering rain. "If I believed in God," Izaya whispered again,"Maybe I would go and pray to him, asking him to help me know what I have to do.."

Izaya tilted his head back up to the sky, allowing the water drops to hit his face, read trailing down his face as the liquid removed the dried blood. "But there is nobody out there," He stated softly,"Nobody whom will help me, so I will protect Mikado myself, in my own way.."

Eyes filled with a determined light, Izaya walked forward again, back towards his home, as he declared,"They will never learn who Mikado is, I will keep him safe, no matter what the cost"

"Because, I don't need a God to realize that he's all I have.."

– – – – –

Tanaka Taro: So they're making a new season? Σ(゜ロ゜;)

Bakyura: Yeah, set to come out next spring!

Tanaka Taro: Finally~ I was beginning to think they wouldn't at all!

- Kanra has joined the chatroom -

Tanaka Taro: Oh-

Bakyura: Oh shit-

Tanaka Taro: Wait, Kanra-chan! Don't leave!

- Kanra has left the chatroom -

– – – – – –

Mikado was about ready to lose it.

It had been two weeks since Mikado learned that Orihara Izaya was actually his brother, and since then, Mikado had desperately been trying to contact Izaya in any way, shape, or form. But his brother was no responding.

No, his brother was ignoring him.

No, it was more like his brother was avoiding him.

Mikado couldn't fathom a reason as to why though. Was it possibly something he had done? Though, Mikado couldn't seem to think of anything. Before all this, even if it was a coincidence, Izaya would strike up a conversation or talk about rumors. No he wouldn't even show himself to Mikado anymore.

It's not like Mikado wasn't trying to get into contact with Izaya. But everything he attempted ended in the same manner. Texts went unanswered, calls went to voice mail, knocked doors weren't opened, and if they did happen to be in the chatroom or see each other, Izaya vanished before Mikado could even try and explain himself. It was getting increasingly frustrating.

"Forget it, man," Kida would tell him,"If Izaya is going to be that way, don't even try, he doesn't deserve you as a brother anyway"

This isn't that simple! Mikado wanted to tell Kida. There was something hidden in all of this, obviously, and that was what happened to Izaya. It seemed like something bad, and Mikado truly wanted to know what could have happened to cause him to lose his brother, to the point his parents never told him about Izaya, and always got sad on his birthday.

It wasn't just him, either. Rumors circulated that Izaya had refused to fight with Shizuo, and since then hasn't antagonized Shizuo since. You'd think that would actually relax the blond a little, right?

Wrong.

Apparently, Shizuo's temper had gotten much worse afterward, since he wasn't able to let out steam during a chase with Izaya, and the fact Izaya hasn't showed up after that. According to Celty, more people were being thrown than usual.

So, here he was, sitting at Celty's house, his knees brought up to his chest, and sadly staring at that last message in the chatroom from an hour ago. Shinra was out doing something, and Celty was watching the TV next to him. They were letting him stay at their place, since the sudden onslaught of rain in the past few weeks had really damaged his already old apartment.

"Do you think.. I did something wrong?" Mikado asked softly,"Or maybe.. He just doesn't want anything to do with me?"

Celty moved to look at him, her smoke billowing out of her neck like it always did. [There is no possible way you could have done something wrong, Mikado, you fainted when you guys found out, you haven't seem him since]

"That's a good point.." Mikado said awkwardly,"Very well made.." Celty leaned over slightly, looking at the chatroom with curiosity.

[Well, if it helps.. I've never know Izaya to completely shun and ignore people like this] She told him calmly.

Mikado could feel the sweatdrops falling down his temples. Yeah, that makes me feel SO much better! He thought sadly, but kept it to himself.

Celty once again managed to notice Mikado's slipping mood, and nudged him, asking [What did you plan to do when you finally get him to talk to you?] Mikado grew excited, and opened his mouth to tell her, but then froze. Wait.. What was his plan? He had been so set on actually talking to Izaya somehow he actually forgot to plan something to do with him.

"Um.. I was sorta just gonna wait until I actually, erm, got to that point before I decided anything," He awkwardly admitted,"Besides, I still have time, I'm sure I could think of something before I run into him again.. If I manage to get him to listen to me"

[Eventually he'll have to give in, he can't avoid you or Ikebukuro forever, I've never known Izaya to stay away from Ikebukuro for long] Celty told him.

"Yeah.. But Izaya knows the city better than I do, if he knows I'm looking for him then he can just sneak away.." Mikado said sadly.

Celty puffed out a frustrated plum of shadows before she said, [Listen, if he doesn't come soon, I will tie him up in my shadows and force him to come, okay?] With how much of her shadows were flowing out of her head and clouding up the room, Mikado believed her.

"Hahaha.. Okay! I believe you, but I wanna try and do this myself," He explained awkwardly, before looking at the clock and gasping.

He quickly grabbed his bag and said,"I-I'm sorry Celty-san, I have to go meet up with Kida and Anri! I was supposed to pay for the meal today! Thank you for letting me stay here!" Celty moved to tell him that he could stay for as long as he needed, but he was already out the door. She sighed and shrugged slightly, before leaning back on the couch, deciding to enjoy her break for as long as she could.

– – – – – –

"Aww.. It's still raining," Mikado muttered worriedly, having already gotten outside the complex. He struggled to open his umbrella, while dodging the constant flow of people down and up Ikebukuro's streets. Surprisingly, there were still a lot of people for such a rainy day. Then again, it had been raining on and off for two weeks, so he guessed they were all probably already used to it.

Finding it hard to open his umbrella and dodge, he moved to an alleyway nearby and leaned against the wall, continuing his attempts. He continued to struggle with it for a little while, before he heard some noises nearby.

Looking up, he gasped in slight fear at the sight of some rough-looking people heading toward him, blocking his exit from the alleyway. It didn't help that the three were hiding their faces quite a bit. Mikado frowned, and backed toward the inside of the alleyway.

"I.. I don't have anything.. I swear!" He stuttered out, growing panicked. The last time he was in an alleyway, he almost got shot, and his older brother did.

One of the men smirked, and pointed at Mikado's bag. "I dunno.. You have a pretty nice looking bag right there don't ya kid? Maybe if you hand it over we won't beat the shit outta ya" He sneered. Mikado took a gulp, feeling his throat drying up and hands shaking even worse. He slid his bag off his shoulders, taking it and about to hand it over-

"Oya, Oya, isn't it looked down upon to pick on people that are smaller than you?" A voice rang out, a very familiar voice. Mikado whipped around quickly and gasped in surprise. Nii-chan!

There was his big brother, sitting against a dumpster with his legs crossed, hood over his head, and red eyes staring at the men dangerously.

"Hey! You stay out of this fur-jacket!" One of the men yelled at Izaya, pointing at him threateningly. "Get outta here before we fuck you up!"

The shortest guy in the group suddenly whispered,"Oi.. Oi Shinoubu.. I think we might wanna leave.. That guy is dangerous.."

Shinoubu scoffed and said,"Yeah right Miyagi, some prissy dude don't scare me" Izaya seemed to be very amused by this conversation, and placed his hands behind his head and smirked wider.

"No, dude!" The other man in the group whispered,"That's Orihara Izaya! The one who fights with Heiwajima all the time!"

Shinoubu gasped suddenly, and exclaimed,"That Informant Broker?!" He seemed to shake for a moment, before saying,"W-whatever, I'm not scared! He's just a coward!"

"Oh really?" Izaya asked, hopping down from dumpster and dusting his coat off calmly. "Well you know, cowards are the smartest people," He began, walking forward.

Miyagi and the other gang member stumbled back with his every move, while Mikado found himself frozen and shaking still. Shinoubu, meanwhile, yanked out a knife and pointed it at Izaya shakily.

"We may not have brute strength like that protozoan, Shizu-chan," Izaya began, causally walking in front of Mikado, using his hand to push the teenager back a little, moving protectively in front of his little brother. "But, that means that throwing things won't get us around in line, we have to figure our ways around things, we make plans, we see our environment and use it to our advantage.."

Izaya's hands slowly closed over Mikado's umbrella, Shinoubu was too busy shakily staring at the raven. "You should never underestimate cowards, because cowards always know how to get out of sticky situations, and they can turn the tables on you in an instant, BOOM!"

At that moment, Izaya yanked open the umbrella in the man's face, making Shinoubu shriek in fear and lose his focus on Izaya. Using this, Izaya kicked the man in his gut, moving behind him and slamming his foot against the back of the man's knees, knocking him over. The raven then closed the umbrella and swung around, hitting Miyagi in the face and sending him flying into the other guy, and onto the ground.

Shinoubu tried to get up, until Izaya placed a foot on his chest and pointed a knife at him. "Let me give you a word of advice," He whispered in a dangerously sweet voice,"Come anywhere near this kid again, and I'll send your skewered remains to a sushi store"

The three men squeaked in fear, before scrambling up and running away like a group of children, covered in the muck and grime of the alleyway. Izaya chuckled evilly as he watched them go, twirling his switchblade around before closing it and shoving it back in his pocket. "That took care of that," He said simply,"Anyways, I should- Agh!"

Mikado suddenly moved forward as Izaya turned, hugging his big brother tightly and releasing all the panicked air he'd been holding. He'd been terrified, all the while his mind had been flashing back to the last time he was in an alley. He'd been so scared that he was going to die. Izaya saved him, his big brother saved him again.

Izaya flinched the moment they made contact, his hands twitching at his sides before he awkwardly brought them back up to Mikado's back. "There.. There.." He muttered, allowing Mikado to bear hug him for a few moments longer. After a while, he squirmed a bit, causing the shaky Mikado to let go of him.

"We really have to stop meeting like this.." Izaya said calmly, before kneeling down and picking up the umbrella that dropped when Mikado hugged him. "Here, you'll want to stay dry," The raven simply continued, putting the umbrella in his hand. Then, Izaya tugged his hoodie up and began to walk away.

Luckily, Mikado got his senses back rather quickly. "Wait!" Mikado yelled,"Wait! Nii-chan!" Izaya flinched, stopped, and turned to look back at Mikado. Most of his face was covered by his hoodie, but Mikado could still see the frown on his face.

Gathering his courage quickly, Mikado clenched his fists and said,"Come over dinner with me! Please let me talk to you!"

Izaya's frown grew, and Mikado felt fear. Why doesn't he want to talk to me? He wondered. "P-please! It's the least I could do! You saved my life twice, a-and I want to get to know my big brother!"

"Don't say that so loud," Izaya hissed,"And why do you want to talk to me so badly?" Mikado frowned angrily, and demanded,"What's wrong with wanting to know my BIG BROTHER?" He raised his voice a little.

Izaya turned around to face him, and said,"I don't want to go to dinner with you Mikado, I have things to do, people to see, clients to talk to"

No, it had taken him this long to see Izaya again, he wasn't about to lose him again, and then have to make Celty go out of her way to drag Izaya to a dinner. So, he'd have to use a little blackmail. "If you don't come with me to dinner right now, I.. I will tell the entire Dollars website that we're brothers!" He threatened. Izaya's movements completely froze. It kind of hurt Mikado a little that this was the blackmail he had to use..

"You wouldn't," Izaya huffed.

Mikado pulled out his phone, waving it threateningly and glaring. "I would," He said firmly, eyes steeled with determination. No, he wouldn't. He had to believe that there was a reason that Izaya wanted to hide their relationship to each other, but he had to pretend he would.

The stare off lasted a few more seconds, brother against brother, until Izaya growled and turned away. "Fine," He simply said. Mikado grinned widely, before placing his in his pocket. "Great! Let's go!" He said excitedly. Izaya tilted his head.

"Wait, now?"

"Yes, now, that way you can't get out of it," Mikado stubbornly said.

Izaya looked around the alley again before huffing and saying,"Fine.." He followed Mikado outside, and Mikado looked at him smugly as they walked toward Russian Sushi.

Mikado: One, Nii-chan: Zero

Now he just had to see what he could get out of Izaya while they ate, hopefully his friends wouldn't mind him suddenly joining in their dinner-

Wait.

His friends..

...Shit.